Rearend question

[Blue68Coupe]

I have some new gears coming in for the rear end but everything I read says I have to use a dial indicator to install them. Has anyone done this without one or does anyone have one I can borrow?

I have never changed gears before but except for having a dial indiator it doesn't look hard. Any comments?

[Rev]

You definitely need a dial indicator to do the job. Also you will need special wrench to adjust the spanner nuts. you can do it yourself but you have to get the lash right or it will howl like a hound dog and wear out too quickly.

Rev

[bmxmon]

Every magazine seems to recommend that be one of the only things you bring in for someone else to do, probably a good idea. (maybe even cheaper than buying the needed tools, thought i have never done it/had it done so i cannot say)

[Blue68Coupe]

If that is the case, can anyone recommend someone? If it is a chain then I can use them in NC.

Thanks

[okiedragster]

well i have to say ive tried to setup a set of gears, with 50% of acomplishment...lol it sounded good on the power side but boy the backlash side was howlin terrible. i even took it apart again and adjusted it and it still was still a howler...lol i bought a set of 373 richmond gears and had a buddy at the racetrack set um up while i watched, and honestly he did everything i did but his results was alot better than mine. if you have a speed shop or racetrack (both dirt or drag) those guys know where to get it done cause they do it alot...hope i helped

[06_GT_Hawaii]

Yes, a dial indicator is required.
Yes, you can do it yourself - but if you do, have someone with you that has done a few. This is a job that is taught hands on. Also, only do it yourself (even with experienced help) if you are prepared to buy another set of gears (and maybe a carrier).

If you are looking for someplace that will do them fairly inexpensively, try a local (not chain) 4x4 shop. They change out a LOT of gears.

Hope that helps. Let us know how it goes.

[Blue68Coupe]

OK, so I tried to listen to all of you and I went out and found a race shop that would install the gears and allow me to watch them do it. To save money and to do some learning, I was going to remove the carrage myself and bring it into the shop. HEre's the catch...... 4 hours of banging, 2 broken screwdrivers and a broken chisel latter the carrage assy hasn't budged. Yes I have all of the bolts off and the axles out. I followed the Ford manual up until it said to just wiggle it loose. Boy I wish it was that easy.

Any ideas or tricks on how to remove the gear assy shor of a jack hammer?

[06_GT_Hawaii]

Ummm...?
Disconnect your brake lines and suspension, remove the rear axle, and bring whole axle to shop.

I've only installed a couple of lockers, but the guy that worked on them with me has done a set of gears and says that they have to be set up in the axle housing. He said it has to do with the dial indicator mounting points. He also said something about endplay? I believe he was saying that you do your final setup and checks with the axles installed, too.

Talk to the race shop, make sure they didn't mean for you to bring the axle down there.

[Rev]

You should only have to bring in the 3rd member (center chunk) to get the gears installed. That is always done on a bench. If you have the axles out and all the nuts off, it should come out without all that hassle. It may be sealed on there with RTV. That's how I do it and with no gasket. Try using that chisel again as wedge to get it to move. There's really no reason that it should not come off with the axles out and all the nuts off.

Rev

[Blue68Coupe]

Got it, I saw on another post to knock the studs into the housing. It came right off after that.

[okiedragster]

if you knocked those studs in, remember to put sealant around those studs before you pull um back thru installing the 3rd member, because your lower studs will seep grease around those studs if not sealed...just a heads up...

[Blue68Coupe]

Good to know, thanks